Vol. 11, Special Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
Rohith Ravula, Milkuri Chiranjeeva Reddy and Mhaiskar Priya Rajendra

Abstract:
The effect of Eucalyptus on soil properties in two land use practices i.e., TSFDC managed Eucalyptus plantations and farmland raised Eucalyptus plantations were assessed in the current study. There results depicted that there was an improvement in properties along with increment in age gradations. With regard to soil pH, there was an increment along the age gradations in both the land use practices i.e., 6.00-7.11 in TSFDC managed plantations and 5.98-6.53 in farmland Eucalyptus plantations. EC of the Eucalyptus plantations was also enhanced in the both the land use practices. However, both soil pH and electrical conductivity were found to be significant over the age gradations. The organic carbon was enhanced in both the land use patterns due to the addition and decomposition of litterfall and ranged from 0.59% - 0.88% in TSFDC plantations whereas 0.42% - 0.85% in farmland plantations. The results also showed that there was an increasing trend in soil available N along the age gradations. Similar trend was also observed in phosphorus and potassium. From the present study, it is found that the Eucalyptus plantations have positive effect on soil properties.